I've made substitutions in the recipe and those are what "make it" for me! Instead of the fresh herbs, I used 1 tsp. each of the dried rosemary, sage and thyme. If you decide to use the fresh, increase the amounts, "to taste". I also seasoned with salt & pepper which the recipe doesn't call for. Sometimes it's hard to find a small red chili pepper (which is very hot and you should wear gloves when chopping)and so I found a "chili pepper paste in a tube in the cold section where they keep the fresh herbs etc. and I use a tsp. of that. Making it in this way I get rave reviews and everyone wants the recipe! I love this soup! I loved it the first time I made it but I also remember "making it my own" by seasoning it up to my liking. Most recipes are not going to come out "perfect". They are going to have to be adjusted to each ones individual tastes and that means more or less seasonings.